December
9, 2009NationalChamps.net
releases 3rd annual Underdog AwardGIVEN
TO THE NATION'S BEST MID-MAJOR PLAYER

Kellen
Moore Wins NationalChamps.net’s 2009
UNDERDOG AWARD

BALTIMORE,
Md. -- In an effort to bring media attention
to those players from smaller schools that
are too often overlooked for the HEISMAN
and other major awards, NationalChamps.net
presents our third annual UNDERDOG AWARD
to recognize the best FBS Mid-Major player
in the nation. In evaluating the rich talent
found throughout the 54 schools not aligned
in automatic-bid BCS conferences, our commitment
to finding overall excellence in college
football at all levels remains at the forefront
of our efforts. Started in 2007, the UNDERDOG
AWARD is the only post-season award dedicated
exclusively to these exceptional Mid-Major
student-athletes.

NationalChamps.net
initially chose 55 players for the 2009
UNDERDOG AWARD Preseason Watch List, which
was primarily based upon those players’
2008 performances. The 13 Semi-Finalists
were revealed two weeks ago. We readily
recognized all of our candidates and their
achievements, which exemplify the UNDERDOG
AWARD’s integrity and aim.

Our
2009 UNDERDOG AWARD Finalists were determined
last week. An exclusive group, these four
finalists represent how high the bar of
Mid-Major talent has been set and show the
immense need for an award like this.
The 2009 UNDERDOG AWARD Finalists
(announced December 1, 2009):

QB
Case Keenum – Jr.
- Houston

QB
Kellen Moore – So.
– Boise State

RB
Ryan Mathews – Jr.
- Fresno State

WR
Freddie Barnes –
Jr. – Bowling Green

But,
there can be only one winner. After evaluating
the numbers and all of the other tangibles
and intangibles, our panel of voters has
made a decision. NationalChamps.net is pleased
to name Kellen Moore of
Boise State as the winner of the 2009 UNDERDOG
AWARD.

It
is tough to say more about Kellen than we
do by stating these three simple facts –
sophomore Kellen Moore is the leading passer
(efficiency) in the nation, he leads the
most potent scoring offense in the entire
FBS, and his team has won every game they’ve
played this season. Also undefeated as a
starter in the 2008 regular season, Moore
is set to surpass nearly every single-season
and career record at a school where great
quarterbacks have made their mark for the
winningest FBS program of this current decade
(111-17, and the Bronco’s 86.7% winning
percentage is also tops). Over-achieving
since Day 1, Moore was the first Boise State
freshman to ever start a season opener.
Still an underclassman but with leadership
skills few graduating seniors ever acquire,
Moore currently leads the country with the
highest percentage of touchdown passes (9.95%)
as well as having both the lowest interception
rate (for QBs with more than 200 pass attempts;
.77% INTs in 392 attempts) and the least
amount of sacks (6). Kellen has a chance
in the Fiesta Bowl rematch with undefeated
No.4 TCU (lost 17-16 to the Horned Frogs
in last year’s Poinsettia Bowl) to
make up for the only loss he has ever experienced
at this level (25-1 record as a starter).
Moreover, Moore has returned his No.6 Broncos
to a BCS Bowl for only the school’s
second time. Moore is setting a legacy in
motion that will resonate his gridiron success
in the Northwest for decades.

From
Prosser, Washington, Kellen Moore
is the 2009 UNDERDOG AWARD winner, and he
reflects a competitive spirit as “true
blue” as the turf upon which he plays.